Craig Daily Press

The Northwest Colorado Visiting Nurse Association recently received a grant that will fund a program aimed at educating pregnant women.

The March of Dimes Colo--rado State Chapter awarded the $13,000 grant to the VNA to start Comenzando Bien (Making a Good Start) in the Yampa Valley.

"It's really to target Hispanic women, women who aren't eligible for other programs," said Carrie Godes, director of community care for the VNA.

The VNA was one of 13 organizations statewide to receive the funding. The program will be offered through Feb. 28, 2007.

Godes said she hopes to reach 80 to 150 pregnant women in the Yampa Valley.

The program's goal is to improve birth outcomes among pregnant women who are Span--ish-speaking, at risk of poor pregnancy outcomes, underinsured or uninsured and/or undocumented.

Undocumented immigrants often do not qualify for other assistance programs because of their residency status, Godes said. Many are eligible for Medicaid, but only for delivery services, not prenatal care, she said.

"We work with them on their problems so they can be healthy and have healthy babies," Godes said. "We educate them and talk about what's involved in a healthy pregnancy."

The program will be taught in English and Spanish and be built into existing prenatal services, Godes said.

The grant will assist with costs of newborn assessments. Godes said birth weight is an indicator of a healthy baby.

For those who qualify, some routine pregnancy costs also will be covered through Comenzando Bien.

"We definitely want to make sure that every pregnant woman has access to professional care," Godes said.

Comenzando Bien is offered in a group setting to allow clients to meet other new members while learning about prenatal health, the importance of folic acid/vitamin intake and the dangers of alcohol and drug abuse.

Godes said the program will also be available on a one-on-one basis for clients not comfortable meeting with a group.

Godes said she hopes local pregnant women will take advantage of this program because education is key to healthy births.

"(If you're not educated), it could lead to all sorts of complications," she said.

The program is being offered through the VNA.

For information on the program, call the VNA at 824-8233.

Michelle Perry can be reached at 824-7031, ext. 204, or mperry@craigdailypress.com.